Belarus President Alexander Lukashenko casts his ballot at a polling station in Minsk. Lukashenko cruised to a crushing election victory as opponents vowed to continue protests against a vote they said had been rigged and the West prepared to give its own critical assessment. [AFP]

Soldiers, members of the local electoral commission, empty a ballot box after the closing of voting at their polling station, specially designed for the border guard servicemen and their families, in the town of Brest, southwestern Belarus. Belarus' President Alexander Lukashenko cruised to a crushing election victory as opponents vowed to continue protests against a vote they said had been rigged and the West prepared to give its own critical assessment. [AFP]

Belarussian President Alexander Lukashenko talks to the press after voting in the presidential elections at a polling station in Minsk March 19, 2006. Belarussians began voting in a presidential election on Sunday, with President Alexander Lukashenko favoured to win a new term against a liberal opposition vowing to contest any attempt to rig the polls. [Reuters]